By Ela Bader

Visit 3 awesome places in India while travelling on budget with this multi city flight

India is a fascinating place. This country is so diverse that it’s worth to visit several cities to get the full taste for it. The best time to visit is between late October and mid-March due to the monsoon season which happens in India from June to September. I looked at top 25 destinations in India and decided that Chennai, Goa and Mumbai will be the most interesting to visit. With above top cities and the best time to visit in mind I tried to create a perfect multi city trip to India.

This is what I came up with:

Multi city flight from Rome to Chennai, Goa and Mumbai

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With this trip you can visit some the the most interesting sights in India:

Chennai

Chennai is the fourth largest city in India and one of the most prosperous of the country. The city has its own unique character and a rich tradition along with modern amenities and technology. There is such a diversity that you will be amazed while visiting Chennai. The picturesque city includes beautifully carved temples, serene beaches, colonial monuments and much more. Apart of the city itself there are numerous attractions in the area which would make your stay in Chennai even more memorable.

Kapaleeshwar Temple in Mylapore

This ancient temple was once submerged under the sea and the current temple structure is a later construction.  There are many Sannidhis dedicated to various gods inside the temple. The presiding deity of this temple is a form of Shiva called Kapaleeshwarar. According to the legend Lord Shiva have pinched off one of the heads of Brahma (god of creation). In penance, Brahma installed a temple in this place, now known as Kapaleeshwarar.

Thousands of devotees visit the temple during the Mylapore Festival in March – April. They participate in the 10-day festivity in honor of the 63 Nayanmars. The bronze statues are carried on large platforms in a colorful procession through the streets of Mylapore. This festival has become a part of the local community life.

 

 

 Meenakshi Temple in Madurai

Once in Chennai it may be worth an 8 hours bus ride to see this incredible Hindu temple.  It’s a  stunning architectural marvel with 33 thousand sculptures.  The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess of love – Parvati. The temple is the heart and the lifeline of the city of Madurai as well as drives the economy of the town for ages. The temple was mentioned in Tamil literature back in 7th century. The present structure was built between 1623 and 1655 CE. It is presumed that the temple was originally constructed by Lord Indra and was destroyed couple of times over a period of thousands of years. The temple attracts 15,000 visitors a day and receives an annual revenue of sixty million rupees.  The annual 10-day Meenakshi Tirukalyanam festival, celebrated during April and May, attracts 1 million visitors.

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Meenakshi Temple in Madurai is a stunning architectural marvel with 33 thousand sculptures.

 

Goa

Many travelers head to Goa each year for its splendid beaches, places of worship and extraordinary architecture. Goa is known by the laid-back atmosphere, but there’s far more to discover than white sands. It has rich flora and fauna and is classified as a biodiversity hotspot.  It’s history is captivating as well. Goa was conquered by Portuguese in 1510 and it stayed within their territory until it was annexed by India in 1961. The historic city of Margao reveals the influence of the Portuguse who occupied it for about 450 years. Another historic place is Old Goa. There, you can visit Basilica of Bom Jesus which is a great example of  baroque architecture combined with simplicity.

One of the pristine beaches in Goa. Photo by K.F. Fernandes
One of the pristine beaches in Goa. Photo by K.F. Fernandes

Mumbai

The city was originally formed from seven islands that were home to fishing communities and grew to be the second most populous city in India. Although this metropolis can feel chaotic and crowded, many inspiring places can be visited in the city and surrounding area. You can visit Film City and experience Bollywood movie shooting. Good news if you like cricket! It is a national sport in India, and in Mumbai you can watch the cricket match on the beach or street for free. There are also some great places to visit in the area:

Siddhivinayak Temple

This Hindu temple is dedicated to Lord Shri Ganes. It evolved from a tiny place of worship to the Grand Temple that it is today. It is often visited by politicians as well as Bollywood film stars which spread its popularity.

Global Vipassana Pagoda

This Meditation Hall serves as a monument of peace and harmony. It was built out of gratitude to the Buddha and as the gratefulness to community of monks practicing his teaching. Its design is based on traditional Burmese design and it contains the world’s largest stone dome built without any supporting pillars. The Pagoda dome contains relics of Buddha, there’s also meditation centre and museum depicting life of the Buddha.

The Global Vipassana Pagoda honours Buddha and explains his Teaching. Photo by: I for Detail
The Global Vipassana Pagoda honors Buddha and explains his Teaching. Photo by: I for Detail

Hope this will help you plan an awesome trip to India! If you have any tips on the best way to visit several places in India share it in the comments

Featured photo by: P.Thirumalaisamy